Hanxiao said: “It is your second brother’s fault for not fulfilling his brotherly responsibilities and not caring enough about you.”
Hanren became even more embarrassed. Now having a request for Hanxiao, he knew Hanxiao was just making polite conversation, but he could only continue to blame himself: “It is not second brother’s fault, but Hanren’s own shortcoming.”
Xu Hanxiao first suppressed Hanren’s momentum, then laughed: “Alright, those are past matters. Hanren, tell me directly why you are here.”
Xu Hanren thought he finally got to the main point, and after reorganizing his thoughts, said: “Second brother, mother asked Hanren to manage the shop in the west of the city, but this is Hanren’s first time managing a shop, and there are many things I do not understand and want to ask second brother for advice.”
Xu Hanxiao said: “Hanren, ask away. Your second brother guarantees to speak without reservation.”
Xu Hanren nodded: “Hanren looked at the account books last night. Most of the business in the west city silk shop is small transactions. Although the profits are rich, the total amount is small.”
Xu Hanxiao, being a shrewd person, knew from these words that Hanren wanted to ask how to secure large business deals. As expected, he heard Hanren continue: “Hanren thinks that second brother is skilled in management, and all the businesses you do are large deals, so you must have special techniques.”
He thought that this third brother had only taken over the shop for a day and had already thought of this point. He was not stupid and seemed quite ambitious. But how could he easily tell Hanren the real techniques? He laughed and said: “The technique is to manage with sincerity, be warm to people, and treat small businesses as big businesses.”
Only then will others think you are serious, and slowly they will be willing to do big business with you. This, you see, cannot be rushed.”
These words were not wrong, but they were just general advice and slow to take effect. Essentially, they were just Xu Hanxiao’s requirements for his shopkeepers and workers.
Xu Hanren nodded, not expecting Hanxiao to truly reveal everything. After asking a few more questions, he thanked and prepared to leave.
Xu Hanxiao said: “Third brother, walk slowly.”
Xu Hanren asked: “Does second brother have any instructions?”
